Method and apparatus for selecting beam for preconfigured uplink resources in a wireless communication system

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatuses for selecting beam for preconfigured uplink resources in a wireless communication system are disclosed herein. In one method, a user equipment (UE) receives, from a network node, a signaling to configure at least one Preconfigured Uplink Resource (PUR) associated with one or more beams from multiple beams. The UE selects a first beam from the multiple beams and performs a transmission of data in RRC_INACTIVE state using the at least one PUR via the first beam if the first beam fulfills at least one condition, wherein the at least one condition comprises that the first beam is associated with the at least one PUR and Reference Symbol Received Power (RSRP) of the first beam is better than a first threshold. The UE initiates a Random Access (RA) procedure and performs the transmission during the RA procedure if no beam of the multiple beams fulfills the at least one condition.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/924,915, filed Jul. 9, 2020, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/880,363, filed Jul. 30, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/880,398, filed Jul. 30, 2019; with the entire disclosures of each referenced application fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to wireless communication networks, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for selecting beam for preconfigured uplink resources in a wireless communication system.

BACKGROUND

With the rapid rise in demand for communication of large amounts of data to and from mobile communication devices, traditional mobile voice communication networks are evolving into networks that communicate with Internet Protocol (IP) data packets. Such IP data packet communication can provide users of mobile communication devices with voice over IP, multimedia, multicast and on-demand communication services.

An exemplary network structure is an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN). The E-UTRAN system can provide high data throughput in order to realize the above-noted voice over IP and multimedia services. A new radio technology for the next generation (e.g., 5G) is currently being discussed by the 3GPP standards organization. Accordingly, changes to the current body of 3GPP standard are currently being submitted and considered to evolve and finalize the 3GPP standard.

SUMMARY

Methods and apparatuses for selecting beam for preconfigured uplink resources in a wireless communication system are disclosed herein. In one method, a user equipment (UE) receives, from a network node, a signaling to configure at least one Preconfigured Uplink Resource (PUR) associated with one or more beams from multiple beams. The UE selects a first beam from the multiple beams and performs a transmission of data in RRC_INACTIVE state using the at least one PUR via the first beam if the first beam fulfills at least one condition, wherein the at least one condition comprises that the first beam is associated with the at least one PUR and Reference Symbol Received Power (RSRP) of the first beam is better than a first threshold. The UE initiates a Random Access (RA) procedure and performs the transmission during the RA procedure if no beam of the multiple beams fulfills the at least one condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a wireless communication system according to one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a transmitter system (also known as access network) and a receiver system (also known as user equipment or UE) according to one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a communication system according to one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the program code of FIG. 3 according to one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a reproduction of FIG. 9.2.3.1-1 showing Inter-gNB handover procedures taken from 3GPP TS 38.300 V15.6.0.

FIG. 6 is a reproduction of FIG. 9.2.4-1 showing Measurement Model taken from 3GPP TS 38.300 V15.6.0.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram for one exemplary embodiment from the perspective of a User Equipment (UE).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exemplary wireless communication systems and devices described below employ a wireless communication system, supporting a broadcast service. Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication such as voice, data, and so on. These systems may be based on code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), 3GPP LTE (Long Term Evolution) wireless access, 3GPP LTE-A or LTE-Advanced (Long Term Evolution Advanced), 3GPP2 UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), WiMax, 3GPP NR (New Radio) wireless access for 5G, or some other modulation techniques.

In particular, the exemplary wireless communication systems devices described below may be designed to support one or more standards such as the standard offered by a consortium named “3rd Generation Partnership Project” referred to herein as 3GPP, including: TS 36.300 V15.6.0, “E-UTRA and E-UTRAN, Overall description, Stage 2”; TS 36.321 V15.6.0, “E-UTRA, MAC protocol specification”; TS 36.331 V15.6.0, “E-UTRA, RRC protocol specification”; TS 38.300 V15.6.0, “NR, NR and NG-RAN overall description, Stage 2”; TS 38.321 V15.6.0, “NR, MAC protocol specification”; TS 38.331 V15.6.0, “NR, RRC protocol specification”; TSG RAN1 #96 Chairman's Notes; TSG RAN1 #96bis Chairman's Notes; TSG RAN1 #97 Chairman's Notes; and TSG RAN2 #106 Chairman's Notes. The standards and documents listed above are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIG. 1 shows a multiple access wireless communication system according to one embodiment of the invention. An access network 100 (AN) includes multiple antenna groups, one including 104 and 106, another including 108 and 110, and an additional including 112 and 114. In FIG. 1, only two antennas are shown for each antenna group, however, more or fewer antennas may be utilized for each antenna group. Access terminal 116 (AT) is in communication with antennas 112 and 114, where antennas 112 and 114 transmit information to access terminal 116 over forward link 120 and receive information from access terminal 116 over reverse link 118. Access terminal (AT) 122 is in communication with antennas 106 and 108, where antennas 106 and 108 transmit information to access terminal (AT) 122 over forward link 126 and receive information from access terminal (AT) 122 over reverse link 124. In a FDD system, communication links 118, 120, 124 and 126 may use different frequency for communication. For example, forward link 120 may use a different frequency then that used by reverse link 118.

Each group of antennas and/or the area in which they are designed to communicate is often referred to as a sector of the access network. In the embodiment, antenna groups each are designed to communicate to access terminals in a sector of the areas covered by access network 100.

In communication over forward links 120 and 126, the transmitting antennas of access network 100 may utilize beamforming in order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of forward links for the different access terminals 116 and 122. Also, an access network using beamforming to transmit to access terminals scattered randomly through its coverage causes less interference to access terminals in neighboring cells than an access network transmitting through a single antenna to all its access terminals.

An access network (AN) may be a fixed station or base station used for communicating with the terminals and may also be referred to as an access point, a Node B, a base station, an enhanced base station, an evolved Node B (eNB), a network node, a network, or some other terminology. An access terminal (AT) may also be called user equipment (UE), a wireless communication device, terminal, access terminal or some other terminology.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an embodiment of a transmitter system 210 (also known as the access network) and a receiver system 250 (also known as access terminal (AT) or user equipment (UE) in a MIMO system 200. At the transmitter system 210, traffic data for a number of data streams is provided from a data source 212 to a transmit (TX) data processor 214.

In one embodiment, each data stream is transmitted over a respective transmit antenna. TX data processor 214 formats, codes, and interleaves the traffic data for each data stream based on a particular coding scheme selected for that data stream to provide coded data.

The coded data for each data stream may be multiplexed with pilot data using OFDM techniques. The pilot data is typically a known data pattern that is processed in a known manner and may be used at the receiver system to estimate the channel response. The multiplexed pilot and coded data for each data stream is then modulated (i.e., symbol mapped) based on a particular modulation scheme (e.g., BPSK, QPSK, M-PSK, or M-QAM) selected for that data stream to provide modulation symbols. The data rate, coding, and modulation for each data stream may be determined by instructions performed by processor 230.

The modulation symbols for all data streams are then provided to a TX MIMO processor 220, which may further process the modulation symbols (e.g., for OFDM). TX MIMO processor 220 then provides N_(T) modulation symbol streams to N_(T) transmitters (TMTR) 222 a through 222 t. In certain embodiments, TX MIMO processor 220 applies beamforming weights to the symbols of the data streams and to the antenna from which the symbol is being transmitted.

Each transmitter 222 receives and processes a respective symbol stream to provide one or more analog signals, and further conditions (e.g., amplifies, filters, and upconverts) the analog signals to provide a modulated signal suitable for transmission over the MIMO channel. N_(T) modulated signals from transmitters 222 a through 222 t are then transmitted from N_(T) antennas 224 a through 224 t, respectively.

At receiver system 250, the transmitted modulated signals are received by N_(R) antennas 252 a through 252 r and the received signal from each antenna 252 is provided to a respective receiver (RCVR) 254 a through 254 r. Each receiver 254 conditions (e.g., filters, amplifies, and down converts) a respective received signal, digitizes the conditioned signal to provide samples, and further processes the samples to provide a corresponding “received” symbol stream.

An RX data processor 260 then receives and processes the N_(R) received symbol streams from N_(R) receivers 254 based on a particular receiver processing technique to provide N_(T) “detected” symbol streams. The RX data processor 260 then demodulates, deinterleaves, and decodes each detected symbol stream to recover the traffic data for the data stream. The processing by RX data processor 260 is complementary to that performed by TX MIMO processor 220 and TX data processor 214 at transmitter system 210.

A processor 270 periodically determines which pre-coding matrix to use (discussed below). Processor 270 formulates a reverse link message comprising a matrix index portion and a rank value portion.

The reverse link message may comprise various types of information regarding the communication link and/or the received data stream. The reverse link message is then processed by a TX data processor 238, which also receives traffic data for a number of data streams from a data source 236, modulated by a modulator 280, conditioned by transmitters 254 a through 254 r, and transmitted back to transmitter system 210.

At transmitter system 210, the modulated signals from receiver system 250 are received by antennas 224, conditioned by receivers 222, demodulated by a demodulator 240, and processed by a RX data processor 242 to extract the reserve link message transmitted by the receiver system 250. Processor 230 then determines which pre-coding matrix to use for determining the beamforming weights then processes the extracted message.

Turning to FIG. 3, this figure shows an alternative simplified functional block diagram of a communication device according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the communication device 300 in a wireless communication system can be utilized for realizing the UEs (or ATs) 116 and 122 in FIG. 1 or the base station (or AN) 100 in FIG. 1, and the wireless communications system is preferably the LTE system or the NR system. The communication device 300 may include an input device 302, an output device 304, a control circuit 306, a central processing unit (CPU) 308, a memory 310, a program code 312, and a transceiver 314. The control circuit 306 executes the program code 312 in the memory 310 through the CPU 308, thereby controlling an operation of the communications device 300. The communications device 300 can receive signals input by a user through the input device 302, such as a keyboard or keypad, and can output images and sounds through the output device 304, such as a monitor or speakers. The transceiver 314 is used to receive and transmit wireless signals, delivering received signals to the control circuit 306, and outputting signals generated by the control circuit 306 wirelessly. The communication device 300 in a wireless communication system can also be utilized for realizing the AN 100 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of the program code 312 shown in FIG. 3 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the program code 312 includes an application layer 400, a Layer 3 portion 402, and a Layer 2 portion 404, and is coupled to a Layer 1 portion 406. The Layer 3 portion 402 generally performs radio resource control. The Layer 2 portion 404 generally performs link control. The Layer 1 portion 406 generally performs physical connections.

3GPP TS 36.300 V15.6.0, “E-UTRA and E-UTRAN, Overall description, Stage 2”, discloses enhanced coverage in LTE as quoted below:

In various embodiments disclosed herein, a User Equipment (UE) could be an Machine-Type Communications (MTC) UE or a Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) UE. “Bandwidth reduced and Low complexity UEs (BL UEs)” and/or “UEs in enhanced coverage (UEs in EC, UEs in CE, CE UEs)” could be referred to as “MTC UE”. In a RRC_IDLE state, if the UE initiates a Random Access (RA) procedure, this RA procedure may be for Early-Data Transmission (EDT) or may not be for EDT. In a RRC_IDLE state, if the UE initiates a RA procedure, this RA procedure may be for a Mobile-terminated EDT (MT-EDT) or may not be for MT-EDT. When referring to Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), it may be MTC Physical Downlink Control Channel (MPDCCH) for MTC UEs or Narrowband Physical Downlink Control Channel (NPDCCH) for NB-IoT UEs. When referring to Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), it may be PRACH for MTC UEs or Narrowband Physical Random Access Control Channel (NPRACH) for NB-IoT UEs. The statements in this paragraph may be applied to LTE (i.e., 4G technology). The statements described above in this paragraph could be generally applied to all the following paragraphs, unless otherwise specified.

A contention-based RA procedure may comprise four steps (e.g., a 4-step RACH/RA procedure), wherein the messages transmitted or received in each of these four steps may be referred to as “Msg1”, “Msg2”, “Msg3”, and “Msg4”. A contention-based RA procedure may comprise two steps (e.g., a 2-step RACH/RA procedure), wherein the messages transmitted or received in each of these two steps may be referred to as “MsgA” and “MsgB”. A non-contention-based RA procedure may comprise two steps, wherein the messages transmitted or received in each of these two steps may be referred to as “Msg1”, and “Msg2”. The statement(s) described above in this paragraph could be generally applied to all the following paragraphs, unless otherwise specified.

NR_Lite (namely NR_Light, NR-IoT) is likely to be introduced in NR Release 17. NR_Lite may target mid-end/high-end IoT devices (e.g., industrial sensors and surveillance cameras), and LTE MTC & NB-IoT and NR mMTC target low-end IoT devices. Compared to LTE MTC and NB-IoT, NR_Lite may have higher data rate and lower latency but at the cost of higher device complexity/cost. Compared to New Radio enhanced Mobile Broadband (NR eMBB), NR_Lite may have lower device complexity/cost but lower data rate and higher latency. In terms of battery life, NR_Lite may have longer battery life than NR eMBB but shorter than LTE MTC and NB-IoT. A new UE capability may be defined for NR_Lite UE. It is assumed that NR_Lite UE may connect to NR Node B (gNB) rather than evolved Node B (eNB). It is assumed that a NR_Lite UE may support at least some of the NR techniques, which may include, for example, Bandwidth part (BWP) operation, beam operation, Supplementary Uplink (SUL) operation. It is assumed that a RA procedure in NR_Lite may be similar to the current NR RA procedure as disclosed in this this specification. SUL can be configured to improve Uplink (UL) coverage for high frequency scenarios. With SUL, the UE is configured with 2 ULs for one Downlink (DL) of the same Serving cell. The other ULs (i.e., not SULs) among the 2 ULs are called Normal Uplink (NUL).

To support NR_lite devices (or NR_lite UEs) in NR, some mechanism to improve transmission efficiency and reduce power consumption may be introduced in NR. For example, NR may introduce a mechanism similar to Preconfigured Uplink Resources (PUR) in LTE MTC or NB-IoT. For example, while the UE is in a RRC_IDLE state or RRC_INACTIVE state and there is UL data available for transmission, the UE could transmit the UL data using PUR instead of initiating a RA procedure. The UE could monitor PDCCH for receiving a Network (NW) response (for PUR) after transmitting the UL data using PUR. The NW response could be an Acknowledgement/Negative Acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) indication. The NW response could be a UL grant scheduling retransmission of the UL data. The NW response could be a DL assignment scheduling DL data, and the UE receives the corresponding DL data according to the DL assignment. After receiving the NW response (for PUR), the UE may stay in a RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state. After receiving the NW response (for PUR), the UE may enter RRC_CONNECTED state (e.g., in case the DL data includes RRCSetup or RRCResume message).

Before the UE performs a UL transmission, the UE may determine whether or not the UL data could be transmitted using PUR based on some conditions. The UL data may include a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message (e.g., RRCSetupRequest, RRCResumeRequest, RRCEarlyDataRequest). The UL data may include data coming from the application layer. The UE may not initiate a RA procedure if the UE determines that the UL data could be transmitted using PUR. The UE may initiate a RA procedure if the UE determines that the UL data could not be transmitted using PUR. The UE may initiate a RRC connection establishment procedure and transmits the RRC message (e.g., RRCSetupRequest) during a RA procedure if the UE determines that the UL data could not be transmitted using PUR. The UE may initiate a RRC connection resume procedure and transmits the RRC message (e.g., RRCResumeRequest) during a RA procedure if the UE determines that the UL data could not be transmitted using PUR. The UE may initiate a RRC connection establishment procedure and transmits the RRC message (e.g., RRCSetupRequest) using PUR if at least the RRC message could be transmitted using PUR. The UE may initiate a RRC connection resume procedure and transmits the RRC message (e.g., RRCResumeRequest) using PUR if at least the RRC message could be transmitted using PUR.

The conditions may include whether the (potential) data size of the UL data is not larger than a threshold (and the threshold may be predefined or configured in the PUR configuration). The conditions may include whether the service type of the UL data is a specific service type (e.g., data from a configured logical channel). The conditions may include whether the establishment cause is a specific establishment cause (e.g., mo-Data). The conditions may include whether the Serving Cell (on which the UE camps) supports PUR (e.g., indicated in the system information). The conditions may include whether the UE has a PUR configuration. The PUR configuration may include time/frequency resource information for PUR. The PUR configuration may include parameters related to Timing Advance (TA) validation for PUR. The PUR configuration may include parameters related to PDCCH monitoring for PUR. The UE may receive the PUR configuration from the NW while the UE is in a RRC_CONNECTED state. The UE may receive the PUR configuration from the NW in the DL data after performing the UL transmission using PUR. The conditions may include whether or not TA is valid for PUR. The UE determines whether or not TA is valid for PUR according to the PUR configuration. The UE may consider the TA for PUR to be valid if (at least) a TA timer (for PUR) is running. The UE may consider the TA for PUR to be valid if (at least) the measured Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) of the Serving Cell is above (or not below) a threshold (and the threshold could be predefined or configured in the PUR configuration). The conditions may include whether or not the next occurred PUR occasion is not too far away in the time domain (e.g., the UE may determine whether or not the UL data could be transmitted using PUR if the time duration from the determination to the next occurred PUR occasion is smaller (or not larger) than a threshold, and the threshold may be predefined or configured in the PUR configuration). The conditions may include whether or not the time duration between current available PUR occasion and next available PUR occasion is smaller (or not larger) than a threshold (and the threshold may be included in the PUR configuration). The UE determines the next PUR occasion according to the PUR configuration. The UE performs transmission using PUR on the PUR occasion.

If the UE determines that the UL data could be transmitted using PUR based on at least one of the above listed conditions, the UE may consider that there is an available PUR or the PUR is available. If the UE determines that the UL data could not be transmitted using PUR based on at least one of the above listed conditions, the UE may consider that there is no available PUR or the PUR is not available. If the UE determines that at least the RRC message could be transmitted using PUR based on at least one of the above listed conditions, the UE may consider that there is available PUR or the PUR is available.

The PUR could be a dedicated PUR. From the UE's perspective, “dedicated PUR” may imply that the UL resource is not shared with another UE, and the NW could identify which UE is performing the transmission using this dedicated PUR. The UE does not expect any conflict/collision with other UEs when performing transmission using the dedicated PUR. There is no Contention Resolution required for the dedicated PUR transmission.

In NR, if UE (and/or NW) supports beam operation or if UE (and/or NW) is operated in Frequency Range 2 (FR2), UL and/or DL resources for a UE may be associated with a certain beam at a time (e.g., the same resources could be reused in another beam for another UE). During a RA procedure, the UE selects a beam for performing the subsequent UL/DL transmission according to the measured RSRP of the reference signal (e.g., SS/PBCH block (SSB), Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS)). After the UE enters RRC_CONNECTED state, the UE may be indicated or configured to a perform beam report (e.g., report for L1-RSRP and/or DL RS index) by the NW, and report (corresponding) measurements to the NW. The NW may adjust the beam(s) which the UE should use. The NW may indicate or change of TCI (Transmission Configuration Indication) state or QCL (Quasi Co-Location) assumption of a DL channel/RS transmission to the UE. In the case of a dedicated PUR, it is also possible that the dedicated PUR is associated with a certain beam(s) when the NW configures PUR to the UE. In other words, an association of the dedicated PUR with one or multiple beams may be configured in the PUR configuration.

Before performing a new UL transmission, the UE may need to select a beam for performing the corresponding transmission. For example, some beams are associated with the PUR while others are not associated. For example, some beams are with a valid TA while others are not with a valid TA. For example, a beam not associated with a PUR is more suitable (e.g., has better quality) than a beam associated with PUR. How the UE performs the selection needs to be specified, otherwise the UE may not be able to perform a (successful) transmission.

The UE may select a beam based on whether or not the beam is associated with PUR. For example, the UE selects a beam which is associated with PUR. Alternatively or additionally, the UE does not select a beam which is not associated with PUR. Upon performing the selection, the UE may further consider at least one of the following factors:

-   a. Quality (e.g. qualified or not qualified) associated with the     beam     -   The quality may be RSRP quality. The UE may determine that a         beam is qualified if the measured RSRP of this beam is above (or         not below) a threshold. The UE may determine that a beam is         qualified if the measured RSRP of this beam is the highest among         the measured RSRP of all beams.     -   For example, a qualified beam may be selected. For example, a         not qualified beam may not be selected. -   b. Timing Advance (e.g. valid or invalid) associated with the beam     -   For example, a beam with valid TA may be selected. For example,         a beam with invalid TA may not be selected. -   c. Coverage level/mode of the beam     -   For example, a beam with smaller coverage level number may be         selected. For example, a beam with larger coverage level number         may not be selected. A smaller coverage level number may imply         better radio condition. A larger coverage level number may imply         worse radio condition. The UE may determine the current coverage         level based on comparing the measured RSRP with a list of RSRP         thresholds. The UE may apply different parameters (e.g. number         of repetitions) when the UE is in different coverage level. -   d. Time to the next occurred PUR occasion (e.g., not too far away or     too far away)     -   For example, a beam may be selected if time duration (from now)         to the next PUR occasion is smaller than a threshold. For         example, a beam may not be selected if time duration (from now)         to the next occurred PUR occasion is equal to or larger than a         threshold.     -   Each PUR occasion may be associated with at least one but not         all beams. Each PUR occasion may be associated with all beams. -   e. Coverage level/mode of the UE     -   For example, a beam may be selected if the UE considers itself         to be in a coverage level associated with PUR. For example, a         beam may not be selected if the UE considers itself to be in a         coverage level not associated with PUR.

The UE could perform the selection by combining (1) whether or not the beam is associated PUR and (2) any one of the aforementioned factors. For example, the UE selects the beam with best quality among the beams associated with PUR. The UE could perform the selection by combining (1) whether or not the beam is associated PUR and (2) some of the aforementioned factors, with a specific order.

Some examples of the specific order are listed below. Any additional step(s) may be inserted before or after any of the steps in each example to form another example. Any existing step(s) in each example may be removed to form another example. If the UE determines that the UE could not perform a PUR transmission in a step, the UE may not perform the remaining step(s). Otherwise, the UE may continue performing the remaining step(s).

Example 1 of the Specific Order

-   -   The UE determines whether or not the next occurred PUR occasion         is not too far away. If the UE determines that the next occurred         PUR occasion is too far away, the UE could not perform a PUR         transmission and may initiate a RA procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE excludes the beam(s) that is not         qualified. If no beam remains (i.e., all beams are excluded),         the UE could not perform a PUR transmission and may initiate a         RA procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE determines whether the UE is in         a coverage level/mode associated with PUR. If the UE determines         that the UE is in a coverage level not associated with PUR, the         UE could not perform a PUR transmission and may initiate a RA         procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE excludes the beam(s) that is not         associated with PUR. If no beam remains (i.e. all beams are         excluded), the UE could not perform a PUR transmission and may         initiate a RA procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE excludes the beam(s) that is not         associated with a valid TA. If no beam remains (i.e. all beams         are excluded), the UE could not perform a PUR transmission and         may initiate a RA procedure.

Example 2 of the Specific Order

-   -   The UE determines whether or not the next occurred PUR occasion         is not too far away. If the UE determines that the next occurred         PUR occasion is too far away, the UE could not perform a PUR         transmission and may initiate a RA procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE excludes the beam(s) that is         associated with a worse coverage level (e.g., level 1) if there         is at least a beam associated with a better coverage level         (e.g., level 0). If no beam remains (i.e., all beams are         excluded), the UE could not perform a PUR transmission and may         initiate a RA procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE excludes the beam(s) that is not         qualified. If no beam remains (i.e., all beams are excluded),         the UE could not perform a PUR transmission and may initiate a         RA procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE excludes the beam(s) that is not         associated with PUR. If no beam remains (i.e., all beams are         excluded), the UE could not perform a PUR transmission and may         initiate a RA procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE excludes the beam(s) that is not         associated with a valid TA. If no beam remains (i.e. all beams         are excluded), the UE could not perform a PUR transmission and         may initiate a RA procedure.

Example 3 of the Specific Order

-   -   The UE determines whether or not the next occurred PUR occasion         is not too far away. If the UE determines that the next occurred         PUR occasion is too far away, the UE could not perform a PUR         transmission and may initiate a RA procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE excludes the beam(s) that is         associated with a worse coverage level (e.g., level 1) if there         is at least a beam associated with a better coverage level         (e.g., level 0). If no beam remains (i.e., all beams are         excluded), the UE could not perform a PUR transmission and may         initiate a RA procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE excludes the beam(s) that is not         qualified. If no beam remains (i.e., all beams are excluded),         the UE could not perform a PUR transmission and may initiate a         RA procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE excludes the beam(s) that is not         associated with a valid TA. If no beam remains (i.e., all beams         are excluded), the UE could not perform a PUR transmission and         may initiate a RA procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE excludes the beam(s) that is not         associated with PUR. If no beam remains (i.e. all beams are         excluded), the UE could not perform a PUR transmission and may         initiate a RA procedure.

Example 4 of the Specific Order

-   -   The UE determines whether or not the next occurred PUR occasion         is not too far away. If the UE determines that the next occurred         PUR occasion is too far away, the UE could not perform a PUR         transmission and may initiate a RA procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE excludes the beam(s) that is not         qualified. If no beam remains (i.e., all beams are excluded),         the UE could not perform a PUR transmission and may initiate a         RA procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE excludes the beam(s) that is         associated with a worse coverage level (e.g., level 1) if there         is at least a beam associated with a better coverage level         (e.g., level 0). If no beam remains (i.e., all beams are         excluded), the UE could not perform a PUR transmission and may         initiate a RA procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE excludes the beam(s) that is not         associated with PUR. If no beam remains (i.e., all beams are         excluded), the UE could not perform a PUR transmission and may         initiate a RA procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE excludes the beam(s) that is not         associated with valid TA. If no beam remains (i.e., all beams         are excluded), the UE could not perform a PUR transmission and         may initiate a RA procedure.

Example 5 of the Specific Order

-   -   The UE determines whether or not the next occurred PUR occasion         is not too far away. If the UE determines that the next occurred         PUR occasion is too far away, the UE could not perform a PUR         transmission and may initiate a RA procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE excludes the beam(s) that is not         qualified. If no beam remains (i.e., all beams are excluded),         the UE could not perform a PUR transmission and may initiate a         RA procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE excludes the beam(s) that is         associated with a worse coverage level (e.g., level 1) if there         is at least a beam associated with a better coverage level         (e.g., level 0). If no beam remains (i.e., all beams are         excluded), the UE could not perform a PUR transmission and may         initiate a RA procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE excludes the beam(s) that is not         associated with a valid TA. If no beam remains (i.e., all beams         are excluded), the UE could not perform a PUR transmission and         may initiate a RA procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE excludes the beam(s) that is not         associated with PUR. If no beam remains (i.e., all beams are         excluded), the UE could not perform a PUR transmission and may         initiate a RA procedure.

Example 6 of the Specific Order

-   -   The UE determines whether or not the next occurred PUR occasion         is not too far away. If the UE determines that the next occurred         PUR occasion is too far away, the UE could not perform a PUR         transmission and may initiate a RA procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE determines whether the UE is in         a coverage level/mode associated with PUR. If the UE determines         that the UE is in a coverage level not associated with PUR, the         UE could not perform a PUR transmission and may initiate a RA         procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE excludes the beam(s) that is not         associated with PUR. If no beam remains (i.e., all beams are         excluded), the UE could not perform a PUR transmission and may         initiate a RA procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE excludes the beam(s) that is not         associated with a valid TA. If no beam remains (i.e., all beams         are excluded), the UE could not perform a PUR transmission and         may initiate a RA procedure.     -   After the previous step, the UE excludes the beam(s) that is not         qualified. If no beam remains (i.e., all beams are excluded),         the UE could not perform a PUR transmission and may initiate a         RA procedure.

After the UE performs the selection (e.g., according to a specific order listed above), if at least one beam remains, the UE could perform a PUR transmission (e.g. using one or more of the at least one beam). If more than one beam remains, the UE may randomly select a beam among the remaining beams. If more than one beam remains, the UE may select a beam with best quality (e.g., highest measured RSRP) among the remaining beams.

Some detailed examples corresponding to different specific orders are listed below. One or more additional step(s) may be inserted before or after any of the steps in each example to form another example. One or more specified step(s) in each example may be removed to form another example.

For a first example, the UE (1) determines that the next occurred PUR occasion is not too far away, (2) selects the qualified beam(s) as a first set, (3) determines that the UE is in a coverage level/mode associated with PUR and selects (from the first set) the beam(s) associated with PUR as a second set, and (4) selects (from the second set) the beam(s) with a valid TA as a final set.

For a second example, the UE (1) selects the qualified beam(s) as a first set, (2) determines that the UE is in a coverage level/mode associated with PUR and selects (from the first set) the beam(s) associated with PUR as a second set, and (3) selects (from the second set) the beam(s) with a valid TA as a final set.

For a third example, the UE (1) determines that the next occurred PUR occasion is not too far away, (2) selects the beam(s) with smaller (better) coverage level/mode as a first set, (3) selects (from the first set) the qualified beam(s) as a second set, (4) selects (from the second set) the beam(s) associated with PUR as a third set, and (5) selects (from the third set) the beam(s) with a valid TA as a final set.

For a fourth example, the UE (1) determines that the next occurred PUR occasion is not too far away, (2) selects the beam(s) with smaller (better) coverage level/mode as a first set, (3) selects (from the first set) the qualified beam(s) as a second set, (4) selects (from the second set) the beam(s) with valid TA as a third set, and (5) selects (from the third set) the beam(s) associated with PUR as a final set.

For a fifth example, the UE (1) determines that the next occurred PUR occasion is not too far away, (2) selects the qualified beam(s) as a first set, (3) selects (from the first set) the beam(s) with smaller (better) coverage level/mode as a second set, (4) selects (from the second set) the beam(s) associated with PUR as a third set, and (5) selects (from the third set) the beam(s) with valid TA as a final set.

For a sixth example, the UE (1) determines that the next occurred PUR occasion is not too far away, (2) selects the qualified beam(s) as a first set, (3) selects (from the first set) the beam(s) with smaller (better) coverage level/mode as a second set, (4) selects (from the second set) the beam(s) with valid TA as a third set, and (5) selects (from the third set) the beam(s) associated with PUR as a final set.

For a seventh example, the UE (1) selects the beam(s) with smaller (better) coverage level/mode as a first set, (2) selects (from the first set) the qualified beam(s) as a second set, (3) selects (from the second set) the beam(s) associated with PUR as a third set, and (4) selects (from the third set) the beam(s) with valid TA as a final set.

For a eighth example, the UE (1) selects the beam(s) with smaller (better) coverage level/mode as a first set, (2) selects (from the first set) the qualified beam(s) as a second set, (3) selects (from the second set) the beam(s) with a valid TA as a third set, and (4) selects (from the third set) the beam(s) associated with PUR as a final set.

For a ninth example, the UE (1) selects the qualified beam(s) as a first set, (2) selects (from the first set) the beam(s) with smaller (better) coverage level/mode as a second set, (3) selects (from the second set) the beam(s) associated with PUR as a third set, and (4) selects (from the third set) the beam(s) with a valid TA as a final set.

For a tenth example, the UE (1) selects the qualified beam(s) as a first set, (2) selects (from the first set) the beam(s) with smaller (better) coverage level/mode as a second set, (3) selects (from the second set) the beam(s) with valid TA as a third set, and (4) selects (from the third set) the beam(s) associated with PUR as a final set.

For a eleventh example, the UE (1) determines that the next occurred PUR occasion is not too far away, (2) determines that the UE is in a coverage level/mode associated with PUR and selects the beam(s) associated with PUR as a first set, (3) selects (from the first set) the beam(s) with a valid TA as a second set, and (4) selects (from the second set) the qualified beam(s) as a final set.

For a twelfth example, the UE (1) determines that the UE is in a coverage level/mode associated with PUR and selects the beam(s) associated with PUR as a first set, (2) selects (from the first set) the beam(s) with valid TA as a second set, and (3) selects (from the second set) the qualified beam(s) as a final set.

The UE could perform a PUR transmission if the final set includes (at least) a beam. The UE could not perform a PUR transmission and may initiate a RA procedure if the final set does not include any beam. If the final set includes more than one beam, the UE may randomly select a beam from the final set. If the final set includes more than one beam, the UE may select a beam with best quality (e.g., highest measured RSRP) from the final set.

The UE may perform the aforementioned beam selection in response to UL data becoming available (in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state). The UE may perform the aforementioned beam selection in response to triggering a Buffer Status Report (BSR) (in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state). The UE may perform the aforementioned beam selection in response to determining that the PUR is available. The UE may perform the aforementioned beam selection in response to receiving a UL grant for PUR (re-)transmission.

In another aspect, after at least a beam is selected for the initial PUR transmission, an issue may occur if the selected beam(s) becomes no longer suitable before the PUR transmission is successfully completed. Since the NW configures a dedicated PUR to the UE according to the channel and/or beam quality while the UE is in RRC_CONNECTED state, after the UE enters a RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state, the associated beam may become unsuitable (e.g., the quality of the associated beam becomes worse due to interference from other UEs or obstacles in the environment) at any time. As the result, the UE may not be able to perform a successful transmission using PUR. The associated beam may become unsuitable in each of the following cases:

-   1. During a PUR transmission attempt (e.g., during a transmission     bundle)     -   It is possible that NR_Lite supports repetition for PUR.         Repetition could increase the reliability of UL/DL transmission         and/or increase the cell coverage. For example, if the number of         repetitions for transmission using PUR is 16 for a UE and each         repetition occupies one slot, the UE will transmit the UL data         using PUR in 16 slots within a PUR transmission bundle. Before         the transmission (in the first slot among the 16 slots) starts,         the UE may select one beam for the PUR transmission based on         whether or not (at least) a beam associated with PUR is         suitable. It is possible that the selected beam becomes not         suitable during the repetitions.     -   In response to that the selected beam becomes not suitable         during the repetitions of a PUR transmission, the UE may perform         at least one of the following actions:     -   a. Stop the remaining repetition(s)         -   If the selected beam becomes not suitable, the remaining             repetition(s) may not be successfully received by the NW. To             avoid interference to other UEs and/or unnecessary power             consumption, the UE could stop the remaining repetition(s).     -   b. Continue the remaining repetition(s) using the selected beam         -   The selected beam may temporarily become not suitable and             may have impact on some but not all of the remaining             repetitions. Thus, the UE could continue the remaining             repetition(s) without changing the beam.     -   c. Continue the remaining repetition(s) using a second beam         -   To ensure successful transmission, if there is a second beam             other than the (previously) selected beam which is suitable             and associated with PUR, the UE could select the second beam             and then continue the remaining repetition(s) using the             second beam.         -   The UE could perform the selection based on the alternatives             for selecting beam mentioned above. For example, the UE             selects a beam which is the most suitable beam among the             beams that are associated with PUR.     -   d. Cancel the PUR procedure         -   The UE could cancel the PUR procedure upon stopping the             remaining repetition(s). Alternatively, the UE could cancel             the PUR procedure upon the last repetition of the PUR             transmission.         -   Additionally, the UE could keep the PUR configuration in             response to canceling the PUR procedure. Alternatively, the             UE could release the PUR configuration in response to             canceling the PUR procedure.     -   e. Initiate a RA procedure         -   The UE could initiate the RA procedure upon stopping the             remaining repetition(s). Alternatively, the UE could             initiate the RA procedure upon the last repetition of the             PUR transmission.         -   If a MAC PDU for transmission using PUR has been             constructed, the UE could transmit a MsgA and/or Msg3 during             the RA procedure without updating the Medium Access Control             Protocol Data Unit (MAC PDU) or constructing a new MAC PDU.             If a MAC PDU for transmission using PUR has been             constructed, the UE could transmit a MsgA and/or Msg3 during             the RA procedure by updating the MAC PDU. If a MAC PDU for             transmission using PUR has been constructed, the UE could             transmit a MsgA and/or Msg3 during the RA procedure by             discarding the MAC PDU and constructing a new MAC PDU.             Additionally, whether or not the UE updates the MAC PDU or             reconstructs a new MAC PDU could depend on the Transport             Block (TB) size of PUR and the TB size of MsgA and/or Msg3.         -   Additionally, the UE could keep the PUR configuration in             response to initiating the RA procedure. Alternatively, the             UE could release the PUR configuration in response to             initiating the RA procedure.         -   Additionally, in the RA Resource selection procedure, the UE             selects the preamble group A/B based on the TB size of the             MAC PDU constructed for PUR, instead of based on the UL data             size. For example, if the TB size of the MAC PDU is greater             than ra-Msg3SizeGroupA, the UE selects preamble group B. For             example, if the TB size of the MAC PDU is not greater than             ra-Msg3SizeGroupA, the UE selects preamble group A.     -   f. Consider TA (for PUR) to be invalid         -   A way to stop using PUR is to consider that the TA (for PUR)             to be invalid. The UE could consider that the TA of the             selected beam to be invalid. The UE could consider that the             TA of all beams associated with PUR to be invalid.         -   The UE may stop the TA timer (for PUR). The UE may consider             the TA timer (for PUR) as expired and perform the             corresponding actions upon timer expiry. -   2. Before a PUR retransmission (e.g., in case the previous PUR     transmission is not successful)     -   It is possible that a PUR transmission attempt is not         successful. The UE may determine that the (previous) PUR         transmission attempt not successful if the received NW response         is a NACK indication or UL grant for PUR retransmission, or the         UE does not receive any NW response during a (configured) time         period. The PUR retransmission may be performed at the next PUR         occasion. The PUR retransmission may be performed based on the         received UL grant for PUR retransmission. It is possible that         the (previously) selected beam becomes not suitable before the         PUR retransmission take place.     -   In response to that the (previously) selected beam becomes not         suitable before the PUR retransmission takes place, the UE may         perform at least one of the following actions:     -   a. Select a second beam which is associated with PUR         -   To ensure successful transmission, if there is a second beam             other than the (previously) selected beam which is suitable             and associated with PUR, the UE could select the second             beam. After selecting the second beam, the UE could perform             the PUR retransmission using the second beam.         -   The UE could perform the selection based on the alternatives             for selecting beam mentioned above. For example, the UE             selects a beam which is the most suitable beam among the             beams that are associated with PUR.     -   b. Continue using the previously selected beam         -   The selected beam may temporarily become not suitable and             may have impact on some but not all of the repetitions.             Thus, the UE could continue using the previously selected             beam for performing the PUR retransmission.     -   c. Cancel the PUR procedure         -   The UE could cancel the PUR procedure in response to that             the previously selected beam becomes not suitable.         -   Additionally, the UE could keep the PUR configuration in             response to canceling the PUR procedure. Alternatively, the             UE could release the PUR configuration in response to             canceling the PUR procedure.     -   d. Initiate a RA procedure         -   The UE could initiate the RA procedure in response to that             the previously selected beam becomes not suitable.         -   If a MAC PDU for transmission using PUR has been             constructed, the UE could transmit a MsgA and/or Msg3 during             the RA procedure without updating the MAC PDU or             constructing a new MAC PDU. If a MAC PDU for transmission             using PUR has been constructed, the UE could transmit a MsgA             and/or Msg3 during the RA procedure by updating the MAC PDU.             If a MAC PDU for transmission using PUR has been             constructed, the UE could transmit a MsgA and/or Msg3 during             the RA procedure by discarding the MAC PDU and constructing             a new MAC PDU. Additionally, whether or not the UE updates             the MAC PDU or reconstructs a new MAC PDU could depend on             the TB size of PUR and the TB size of MsgA and/or Msg3.         -   Additionally, the UE could keep the PUR configuration in             response to initiating the RA procedure. Alternatively, the             UE could release the PUR configuration in response to             initiating the RA procedure.         -   Additionally, in the RA Resource selection procedure, the UE             selects the preamble group A/B based on the TB size of the             MAC PDU constructed for PUR, instead of based on the UL data             size. For example, if the TB size of the MAC PDU is greater             than ra-Msg3SizeGroupA, the UE selects preamble group B. For             example, if the TB size of the MAC PDU is not greater than             ra-Msg3SizeGroupA, the UE selects preamble group A.     -   e. Consider TA (for PUR) to be invalid         -   A way to stop using PUR is to consider that the TA (for PUR)             to be invalid. The UE could consider that the TA of the             previously selected beam to be invalid. The UE could             consider that the TA of all beams associated with PUR to be             invalid.         -   The UE may stop the TA timer (for PUR). The UE may consider             the TA timer (for PUR) as expired and perform the             corresponding actions upon timer expiry.

In the various embodiments, a beam could be a NW beam, UE beam, a transmission beam, or a reception beam.

A “selecting a beam” could mean that the UE selects a DL reference signal (DL RS), and then derives the beam from the selected DL RS (e.g., based on an association between beam and DL RS). The DL RS could be a SSB. The DL RS could be CSI-RS. The DL RS could be DM-RS. The DL RS could be a new type of DL RS introduced for NR_Lite. One beam may be associated with one DL RS. One beam may be associated with more than one DL RS. More than one beam may be associated with one DL RS. One beam may be associated with transmission or reception of the DL RS.

“A beam is suitable” or “a beam becomes suitable” could mean that the UE expects that a transmission (to be performed) may be successful if using this beam. “A beam is not suitable” or “a beam becomes not suitable” could mean that the UE expects that a transmission (to be performed) may not be successful if using this beam. The UE may select a suitable beam for performing a transmission. The UE may not select a “not suitable” beam for performing a transmission. The UE may determine that a beam is and/or becomes suitable or not suitable based on the quality (e.g., measured RSRP/RSRQ value) of this beam. The UE may derive the measured RSRP/RSRQ value of this beam from the measured RSRP/RSRQ value of the DL RS(s) associated with this beam. A suitable beam may be associated with PUR. A suitable beam may not be associated with PUR. A beam may be suitable or not suitable. A beam may be associated with PUR or may not be associated with PUR.

“A beam is suitable” or “a beam becomes suitable” could mean that the measured result (may be in metric of, e.g. RSRP) of this beam is above (or not below) a threshold. “A beam is suitable” or “a beam becomes suitable” could mean that the measured result (may be in metric of, e.g. RSRP) of this beam is the highest among the measured result (may be in metric of, e.g. RSRP) of all beams (i.e. this beam is the best beam). “A beam is suitable” or “a beam becomes suitable” could mean that the Timing Advance (TA) associated with this beam is considered to be (or becomes) valid.

“A beam is not suitable” or “a beam becomes not suitable” could mean that the measured result (may be in metric of, e.g., RSRP) of this beam is below (or not above) a threshold. “A beam is not suitable” or “a beam becomes not suitable” could mean that the measured result (may be in metric of, e.g., RSRP) of this beam is less than the measured result (may be in metric of, e.g. RSRP) of another beam (i.e., the selected beam is not the best beam). The another beam may be associated with PUR. The another beam may not be associated with PUR. “A beam is not suitable” or “a beam becomes not suitable” could mean that the Timing Advance (TA) associated with this beam is considered to be (or becomes) invalid.

Throughout this disclosure, a beam could mean or be referred to as that a TCI state, (spatial) QCL assumption, spatial filter, or spatial parameter, which is associated with or used to receive a DL transmission (e.g., DL channel, DL RS) or a UL transmission (e.g., UL channel, UL RS).

Throughout this disclosure, a beam could mean or be referred to as that a spatial relation, spatial filter, spatial parameter, transmission precoder, which is associated with or used to transmit a UL transmission (e.g., UL channel, UL RS) or a DL transmission (e.g., DL channel, DL RS).

Throughout this disclosure, a beam could be referred to a SSB or a DL RS.

Throughout this disclosure, a beam associated with a resource (e.g., RA resource, PUR resource) could be referred to a SSB or DL RS associated with the resource.

The threshold could be the RSRP threshold in a TA validation for PUR. The threshold could be a RSRP threshold for determining whether or not a beam is suitable (or qualified). The threshold could be the RSRP threshold for a beam selection in the RA procedure (e.g. rsrp-ThresholdSSB). The threshold could be the threshold for determining coverage level (associated with PUR or of the UE).

If the UE determines to initiate a RA procedure while the UE keeps the PUR configuration, the UE may apply the transmission power of PUR to Msg1 and/or Msg3 and/or MsgA transmission. The transmission power of PUR is included in the PUR configuration.

According to one exemplary method for selecting beam for preconfigured uplink resources, the method includes: selecting a beam associated with Preconfigured Uplink Resources (PUR) from a set of beams, and performing an uplink transmission using the selected beam, wherein the UE performs the uplink transmission on a PUR occasion.

In another exemplary method, the method includes: receiving a PUR configuration from a network node before selecting the beam, wherein the PUR configuration includes time and frequency information for PUR.

In another exemplary method, the UE determines the PUR occasion according to the time and frequency information for PUR.

In another exemplary method, the UE determines whether each beam in the set of beams is associated with PUR according to the PUR configuration.

In another exemplary method, the UE performs the selection in RRC_IDLE state.

In another exemplary method, the UE performs the selection in RRC_INACTIVE state.

In another exemplary method, the UE performs the selection in response to uplink data becoming available for transmission.

In another exemplary method, the UE performs the selection in response to triggering a BSR.

In another exemplary method, the UE performs the selection in response to triggering a PUR.

In another exemplary method, the UE performs the selection in response to receiving an uplink grant indicating retransmission of a transmission using PUR.

In another exemplary method, the method further includes: initiating a Random Access (RA) procedure if the UE selects a beam not associated with PUR, and performing the uplink transmission using the selected beam, wherein the UE performs the uplink transmission not on a PUR occasion.

In another exemplary method, the method further includes: selecting the beam further based on a criterion, in addition to whether the beam is associated with PUR.

In another exemplary method, the criterion at least includes the quality of the beam.

In another exemplary method, the criterion at least includes the Timing Advance (TA) associated with the beam.

In another exemplary method, the criterion at least includes the coverage level/mode of the beam.

In another exemplary method, the criterion at least includes the time to the PUR occasion associated with the beam.

In another exemplary method, the criterion at least includes the coverage level/mode of the UE.

In another exemplary method, the UE performs the selection by combining whether the beam is associated with PUR and the criterion/criteria with a specific order.

In another exemplary method, the method includes: performing a first PUR transmission using a first beam, wherein the first beam is suitable and is associated with PUR; selecting a second beam in response to that the first beam becomes not suitable, wherein the second beam is different from the first beam and is suitable and is associated with PUR; and performing a second PUR transmission using the second beam.

In another exemplary method, the second PUR transmission is a retransmission of the first PUR transmission.

In another exemplary method, the method further includes: determining whether the first beam becomes not suitable in response to determining that the first PUR transmission is not successful.

In another exemplary method, the UE determines that the first PUR transmission is not successful in response to receiving a response from a network node, and the response is received in response to performing the first PUR transmission.

In another exemplary method, the UE determines that the first PUR transmission is not successful in response to receiving nothing from a network node during a time period, wherein the UE expects to receive a response from the network node during the time period.

In another exemplary method, the second PUR transmission and the first PUR transmission are repetitions within a same PUR transmission bundle.

In another exemplary method, the method further includes: determining whether the first beam becomes not suitable periodically.

In another exemplary method, the UE determines that the beam is or becomes suitable if an at least one condition is met, and the UE determines that the beam is or becomes not suitable otherwise.

In another exemplary method, the at least one condition includes the quality of the beam.

In another exemplary method, the at least one condition includes the Timing Advance (TA) associated with the beam.

In another exemplary method, the UE performs the selection in RRC_IDLE state.

In another exemplary method, the UE performs the selection in RRC_INACTIVE state.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart 700 according to one exemplary method from the perspective of a first device such as, but not limited to, a UE. In step 705, the UE receives, from a network node, a signaling to configure at least one Preconfigured Uplink Resource (PUR) associated with one or more beams from multiple beams. In step 710, the UE selects a first beam from the multiple beams and performs a transmission of data in RRC_INACTIVE state using the at least one PUR via the first beam if the first beam fulfills at least one condition, wherein the at least one condition comprises that the first beam is associated with the at least one PUR and Reference Symbol Received Power (RSRP) of the first beam is better than a first threshold. Additionally, the UE does not initiate a Random Access (RA) procedure if the first beam is selected. In step 715, the UE initiates the RA procedure and performing the transmission during the RA procedure if no beam of the multiple beams fulfills the at least one condition.

In another method, the first beam is randomly selected by the UE from a subset of the multiple beams, wherein the subset includes more than one beam that fulfills the condition.

In another method, the first beam is selected due to the best quality among a subset of the multiple beams if the subset includes more than one beam that fulfills the at least one condition.

In another method, the at least one condition comprises a valid Timing Advance (TA) associated with the first beam.

In another method, the UE receives the signaling in a RRC_CONNECTED state.

In another method, after the transmission using the at least one PUR is not successful, the UE determines whether the first beam becomes unsuitable based on the RSRP of the first beam; selects a second beam from the multiple beams to perform a retransmission of the data in the RRC_INACTIVE state if the UE determines that the first beam is unsuitable and the second beam fulfills the at least one condition; and performs the retransmission using the at least one PUR via the second beam.

In another method, the UE considers the TA associated with the first beam as invalid (e.g., if the first beam becomes unsuitable).

In another method, the UE initiates the RA procedure and performing the retransmission during the RA procedure if no beam of the multiple beams fulfills the at least one condition.

In another method, the UE determines that the first beam becomes unsuitable if the RSRP of the first beam is less than the first threshold.

In another method, the UE determines that the transmission using the at least one PUR is not successful if the UE does not receive a response of the transmission from the network node.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the various disclosed embodiments and/or methods may be combined to form new embodiments and/or methods.

Referring back to FIGS. 3 and 4, in one embodiment, the device 300 includes a program code 312 stored in memory 310. The CPU 308 could execute program code 312 to (i) receive, from a network node, a signaling to configure at least one Preconfigured Uplink Resource (PUR) associated with one or more beams from multiple beams, (ii) select a first beam from the multiple beams and perform a transmission of data in RRC_INACTIVE state using the at least one PUR via the first beam if the first beam fulfills at least one condition, wherein the at least one condition comprises that the first beam is associated with the at least one PUR and Reference Symbol Received Power (RSRP) of the first beam is better than a first threshold, and (iii) initiate a Random Access (RA) procedure and performing the transmission during the RA procedure if no beam of the multiple beams fulfills the at least one condition.

Furthermore, the CPU 308 can execute the program code 312 to perform all of the above-described actions and steps or others methods described herein.

The above-disclosed methods allow a UE (e.g. a NR_Lite UE) to select a beam appropriately to perform a PUR transmission in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state. Moreover, the UE (e.g. the NR_Lite UE) could avoid performing unsuccessful PUR transmissions or select another beam to ensure successful PUR transmission in case the originally selected beam becomes unsuitable.

Various aspects of the disclosure have been described above. It should be apparent that the teachings herein may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and that any specific structure, function, or both being disclosed herein is merely representative. Based on the teachings herein one skilled in the art should appreciate that an aspect disclosed herein may be implemented independently of any other aspects and that two or more of these aspects may be combined in various ways. For example, an apparatus may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, such an apparatus may be implemented or such a method may be practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than one or more of the aspects set forth herein. As an example of some of the above concepts, in some aspects concurrent channels may be established based on pulse repetition frequencies. In some aspects concurrent channels may be established based on pulse position or offsets. In some aspects concurrent channels may be established based on time hopping sequences.

Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, processors, means, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware (e.g., a digital implementation, an analog implementation, or a combination of the two, which may be designed using source coding or some other technique), various forms of program or design code incorporating instructions (which may be referred to herein, for convenience, as “software” or a “software module”), or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

In addition, the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented within or performed by an integrated circuit (“IC”), an access terminal, or an access point. The IC may comprise a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, electrical components, optical components, mechanical components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein, and may execute codes or instructions that reside within the IC, outside of the IC, or both. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

It is understood that any specific order or hierarchy of steps in any disclosed process is an example of a sample approach. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes may be rearranged while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module (e.g., including executable instructions and related data) and other data may reside in a data memory such as RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of computer-readable storage medium known in the art. A sample storage medium may be coupled to a machine such as, for example, a computer/processor (which may be referred to herein, for convenience, as a “processor”) such the processor can read information (e.g., code) from and write information to the storage medium. A sample storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in user equipment. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in user equipment. Moreover, in some aspects any suitable computer-program product may comprise a computer-readable medium comprising codes relating to one or more of the aspects of the disclosure. In some aspects a computer program product may comprise packaging materials.

While the invention has been described in connection with various aspects, it will be understood that the invention is capable of further modifications. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptation of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention, and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known and customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for a User Equipment (UE), comprising: configuring at least one Preconfigured Uplink Resource (PUR) associated with multiple Synchronization Signal/Physical Broadcast Channel Blocks (SSBs); selecting a first SSB from the multiple SSBs and performing a transmission of data using the at least one PUR via a first beam associated with the first SSB if the first SSB fulfills at least one condition where Reference Symbol Received Power (RSRP) of the first SSB is above a threshold; and initiating a Random Access (RA) procedure and performing the transmission during the RA procedure if no SSB of the multiple SSBs fulfills the at least one condition.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmission of data is performed in a RRC_IDLE or a RRC_INACTIVE state.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first SSB is randomly selected from a subset of the multiple SSBs.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the subset includes more than one SSB that fulfills the at least one condition.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first SSB is selected due to a highest measured RSRP among a subset of the multiple SSBs if the subset includes more than one SSB that fulfills the at least one condition.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one condition further comprises a valid Timing Advance (TA) associated with the first beam.
 7. The method of claim 1, further including receiving signaling in a RRC_CONNECTED state to configure the at least one PUR associated with multiple SSBs.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining whether the first beam becomes unsuitable based on the RSRP of the first SSB if the transmission using the at least one PUR is not successful; selecting a second SSB from the multiple SSBs to perform a retransmission of the data if the UE determines that the first beam is unsuitable and the second SSB fulfills the at least one condition; and performing the retransmission using the at least one PUR via a second beam associated with the second SSB.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the UE considers a TA associated with the first beam as invalid if the first beam becomes unsuitable.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising initiating the RA procedure and performing the retransmission during the RA procedure if no SSB of the multiple SSBs fulfills the at least one condition.
 11. The method of claim 8, further comprising determining that the first beam becomes unsuitable if the RSRP of the first SSB is less than the first threshold.
 12. The method of claim 8, further comprising determining that the transmission using the at least one PUR is not successful if the UE does not receive a response of the transmission.
 13. A User Equipment (UE), comprising: a memory; and a processor operatively coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute a program code to: configure at least one Preconfigured Uplink Resource (PUR) associated with multiple Synchronization Signal/Physical Broadcast Channel Blocks (SSBs); select a first SSB from the multiple SSBs and perform a transmission of data using the at least one PUR via a first beam associated with the first SSB if the first SSB fulfills at least one condition where Reference Symbol Received Power (RSRP) of the first SSB is above a threshold; and initiate a Random Access (RA) procedure and perform the transmission during the RA procedure if no SSB of the multiple SSBs fulfills the at least one condition.
 14. The UE of claim 13, wherein the transmission of data is performed in a RRC_IDLE or a RRC_INACTIVE state.
 15. The UE of claim 13, wherein the first SSB is randomly selected by the UE from a subset of the multiple SSBs, and wherein the subset includes more than one SSB that fulfills the at least one condition.
 16. The UE of claim 13, wherein the first SSB is selected due to a highest measured RSRP among a subset of the multiple SSBs if the subset includes more than one SSB that fulfills the at least one condition.
 17. The UE of claim 13, wherein the at least one condition further comprises a valid Timing Advance (TA) associated with the first beam.
 18. The UE of claim 13, wherein the UE receives signaling in a RRC_CONNECTED state to configure the at least one PUR associated with multiple SSBs.
 19. The UE of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program code to: determine whether the first beam becomes unsuitable based on the RSRP of the first SSB if the transmission using the at least one PUR is not successful; select a second SSB from the multiple SSBs to perform a retransmission of the data if the UE determines that the first beam is unsuitable and the second SSB fulfills the at least one condition; and perform the retransmission using the at least one PUR via a second beam associated with the second SSB.
 20. The UE of claim 19, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program code to: initiate the RA procedure and perform the retransmission during the RA procedure if no SSB of the multiple SSBs fulfills the at least one condition; and/or determine that the first beam becomes unsuitable if the RSRP of the first SSB is less than the first threshold; and/or determine that the transmission using the at least one PUR is not successful if the UE does not receive a response of the transmission. 